Haleakala Ranch celebrating 125th anniversary

MAKAWAO, Hawaii (AP) — A Maui ranch that dates to the days of Hawaii’s monarchy is celebrating its 125th anniversary with an exhibit of cowboy boots, photographs and other historical artifacts.

The exhibit for Haleakala Ranch opens Tuesday at a community arts center in Makawao, The Maui News reported (http://bit.ly/1cDpNmQ ). It’s expected to include traditional boots worn by Spanish-trained cowboys, plus rawhide lassos.

Teri Freitas Gorman, who helps the ranch with community relations, says ranch officials hope the exhibit will stay open at least a year.

The exhibit will also include a saddle used by Samuel Baldwin, one of the brothers who founded the ranch.

The ranch encompasses nearly 30,000 acres of land on the western slope of the Haleakala volcano. The ranch has more than 1,100 breeding cows, 2,000 nanny goats and 350 ewes. It has passed through five generations of families and employees.

Ranch officials say Haleakala Ranch was incorporated into the Kingdom of Hawaii on Sept. 1, 1888.

The ranch’s latest challenges include battling invasive species and drought.

The ranch’s president, Don Young, has introduced biological control measures to fight the invasive species. He has also expanded the ranch’s revenue streams by adding zip lines and other tourism, along with land leases.

“Despite the challenges, I think we’re confident that the ranch will not only be here, but continue to be successful — and ranching and livestock will very much be a part of that,” Young said. “The outlook is extremely positive, and we’re excited to continue for the next 125 years.”